The art gallery, opened in June 1977 in the center of Balakovo, became the first branch of the Saratov Radishchev Museum. The gallery is located in a one-story brick building of about 400 square meters, built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries for the Trade and Industry Bank.

The core of the museum's collection is the exhibition "Russian Art of the 18th and Early 20th Centuries" from the Radishchev Museum's collection. The gallery features works by famous Russian artists: portraitists K. Makovsky, F. Zhuravlev, N. P. Bogdanov-Belsky, landscape painters N. Dubovsky, L. Lagorio, Kamenev, as well as genre compositions by N. Pryanishnikov, N. Sverchkov, and F. Bronnikov. In May 2005, the exhibition was supplemented with works of decorative and applied art.

After the building's restoration in September 2009, the gallery received a modern alarm system and special lighting for the graphic arts and antique paintings halls. The updated exhibition was prepared by the staff of the scientific and exhibition departments of the main museum, which also improved programs for various categories of visitors.

Visitors are greeted by illustrated antique books about the imperial Romanov dynasty, accompanied by sculptural busts. From the foyer, one can enter the hall of ancient Russian and Orthodox art, where icons of the 18th-19th centuries, cast bronze sculptures, and small-format icons are displayed against dark green walls, along with 18th-century chairs. The next hall is dedicated to Russian art of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where paintings and decorative applied art are presented against dark burgundy walls. Western European porcelain is placed in a vertical showcase, and the furniture combined with paintings creates an interior display.

From the hall of Russian art of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, visitors move to the graphic arts hall, which was opened for the first time in the museum branch. The lighting here meets world standards and is set at 60 lux to avoid damaging the graphics. Against dark blue walls, Russian engravings of the late 18th and early 19th centuries are exhibited. Next, visitors enter the grand hall of Russian art of the second half of the 19th century. Old paintings in "golden" frames look stunning against dark green walls. Here, 19th-century chairs and armchairs, large decorative porcelain vases, bronze candlesticks, and Russian porcelain of the 19th century are also displayed. The last dark blue hall is dedicated to the works of A. P. Bogolyubov, whose paintings are displayed alongside sculptures and 19th-century armchairs.

A few years ago, the area around the gallery was transformed into a "Territory Open for Communication." This is not just a garden, but a cultural corner conceived as a creative space where every visitor can find an activity to their liking. Under the shade of rowan trees, busts of Lenin, Chapaev, Gorky, Tsiolkovsky, and other outstanding figures are exhibited. Plants and shrubs, such as carnations, daisies, spireas, dahlias, lilies, and daylilies, are harmoniously arranged in this corner. One can spend an entire day moving from one activity to another, as the garden is equipped with easels, paints, pencils, and other creative tools.

The garden has many comfortable benches, cozy gazebos, and bookshelves with freely accessible books. Annual events such as Museum Night and Arts Night are held here.